FROM THE PRESIDENT Jan. 05, 2026
From the President Continued...
extraordinary efforts of our Workday Student Information System (SIS) implementation team and functional leads, whose dedication continues to move this important work forward. As we step into 2026, we do so having made meaningful progress: completing the FY23 audit, making substantial advances toward the FY24 audit, successfully hosting an HLC Focus Visit, gaining acceptance into the HLC Assessment Academy, and completing numerous campus facility improvement projects. Building on the progress we have made over the past year; we are entering the new year with excitement and a continued commitment to serving our students and communities. The New Mexico State Legislative Session starts on January 20 ending on February 19, and during this 30-day session we will share the important work happening at Luna Community College and the impact it has across our region. On January 22, we will celebrate Luna Day at the State Capitol! An opportunity to highlight the people, programs, and successes that make Luna special while lifting up the importance of student success, workforce preparation, and community opportunity through our legislative priorities and requests. More details will be shared soon, and we look forward to engaging our campus community in the weeks ahead. Finally, I extend my sincere appreciation to our Board of Trustees for their service and leadership, I thank outgoing Trustees Kenneth Medina and Dr. Gilbert Sena for their dedicated service and leadership; recognizing the continued leadership of Trustee Chair Dr. Phyllis Martinez and Trustees Louise Portillos, Mark Dominguez, and Rolando Medrano, and welcome new Trustees Andrea Sandy and Richard Vigil. I also want to thank the members of the LCC Foundation for strengthening our community through signature events such as the LCC Alumni Awards Banquet, Swap Meet, and Winter Fest. The past year was about building—building our team, strengthening our campus, and creating pathways for our students and our college . I look forward to continuing this work and walking those pathways together throughout 2026. With Gratitude, Dr. Carol C. Linder – President
Building Opportunity Together
As we begin 2026, I find myself reflecting not only on what we have accomplished, but on who we are doing it for. My greatest pride continues to come from our students. Their resilience and drive are the heartbeat of Luna Community College.
Last May, we celebrated a commencement with more graduates than in previous years—a testament to a 9.7% increase in degree completion . From Nursing and Allied Health to CTE, STEM, Education, Business, the Humanities, and our Adult Basic Education programs, we are seeing our community succeed. At the same time, we have strengthened our commitment to the “whole student” through Luna Strong initiatives such as Timely Care telehealth and Luna Eats, ensuring students are supported both inside and outside the classroom. Creating opportunity requires a strong foundation, and over the past year we have focused on rebuilding and strengthening our team to better serve students and the community. We have filled critical leadership and support positions in Student Services, including a Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, an Associate Vice President of Student Services, a Registrar, and a Financial Aid Director along with dedicated staff. Our operational capacity has also grown with the addition of a Director of Assessment, a permanent Human Resources Director and staff, a Director of Government and Community Relations, and a Marketing and Events Coordinator. I am especially proud to see members of our own Luna team step into leadership roles in Workforce Development, Nursing, and other key areas across campus. We are expanding how we prepare our community for the future as well. The Wildfire Resiliency Training Center is now fully operational with a dedicated director and training staff. We have launched exciting new pathways, including Culinary Arts and the innovative Adobe Model Home Construction program, while continuing to see strong success in our CDL program. None of this progress would be possible without the unsung heroes working behind the scenes. I am deeply grateful to those who served in interim roles across the college, particularly in Human Resources and the Finance Office, helping maintain stability during times of transition. We are also actively preparing for a digital transformation through our partnership with the Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS). I want to recognize the
Our students’ resilience & drive are the heartbeat of Luna Community College.
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